Zacchaeus meets Jesus

"Zacchaeus ran forward, went up a sycamore to see Jesus, because he was going to go there ... Jesus saw him and said to him : Zacchaeus, come down quickly, because I must stay in your house today. Quickly he went down and received him with joy." Luke 19. 4-6

The social status of Zacchaeus partly explains his gesture. He is responsible for raising taxes for the benefit of Rome, the occupying Power. This function brought in a lot of money, especially if one kept for oneself an excessive part of the contributions paid by the people. But this occupation provoked a rejection of the people against the "traitor" who agreed with the colonizer to enrich themselves.

Zacchaeus is rich, but that does not make him happy. Money gives no answer to his questions. He's looking for something else. He has nothing to lose when climbing a tree. He wants to see or even hear Jesus himself to get his idea about this man who attracts crowds and who welcomes the excluded : "he sought to see Jesus, who he was" (v.3).

Jesus responds to his desire beyond his hope: he invites himself to his home. Zacchaeus calls Jesus "Lord," a respectful title; he declares to him how he practices his profession : "Behold, Lord, I give half my goods to the poor ; and if I have wronged someone by a false accusation, I will return him fourfold "(v. 8). In these words, Jesus recognizes a "son of Abraham" (v. 9). Like the patriarch, Zacchaeus is not afraid to question many things in his life. If he does not physically leave his country, he renounces many privileges related to his profession.

Also, Jesus does not fear to go to this excluded person raising against him a unanimous reprobation : "Seeing this, all murmured and said that he had entered a sinner's home" (v. 7). But he recognizes in him a man of faith in research, aware of his spiritual poverty. He is one of those whom "the Son of man came to seek and to save" (v.10).

Being aware of our misery and seeking other values ​​than those that this world offers is what Jesus expects of us. He can then be even closer to us, fill us with joy and blessings.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)